Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-11-11
GREAT GATHERING.
THE BAPTIST GENERAL ASSOCIATIONS
sIXrY.F0URrH SESSION.
Delegates from the Mountains to tho Sea
ssrmon-organization Election
OF officers.
fsnenlnl telegram to the Dispatch.

LYNcHBUBG, Va, November 10.-The
Virginia Baptist General Association CON
vened here tonight in its slxty-iourthi
annual session. The house being packed
to its utmost capacity, while many were
turned away unable to find even standing
room, expresses the exact situation.
The Baptist clans have gathered from
the mountains to the seaboard. The
delegation is an unusually large one, and
the people of the city are turning out
in large crowds.
Captain John II. Wright, OF Suffolk,
the president Of last year, called the
body TO order, and announced as the
first order the preaching of the intro
ductory sermon by Rev. DR.. c. f. James,
of Culpeper.
Dr. w. w. Landrum announced the
hymn, "Come, Holy Spirit. Heavenly
Dove, which was led by the choir and
sung with spirit by the congregation.
Dr. James read the Scriptures, DR.. G.
c. Biting. of Philadelphia, led in prayer,
the choir rendered voluntary in fine
style. and Rev. A. G.. McManaway, of
Charlotte, n. c., announced and the
congregation arose and sang the old
hymn, "There is Fountain Filled with
Blood"
DR.. James announced as his text
"The Righteousness of Our God and
Saviour Jesus Christ" tie said that
He came with an old but none the less
precious theme. He discussed first the
Righteousness Of God" bringing out
the teachings of the Scriptures concern
ing it, and making a clear. theological
definition of what il is, and the necessity
for it. He next discussed the question
"How are We to Secure This Righteous
ness?" and showed that it comes
through faith, which brings us into
/ living union with Christ
As to the effects Of this righteousness
he showed that it changes the relations
of the man who possesses it, and makes
/ him in the eye of the law free from all
guilt-treated as though he had never
sinned: that it places him under the
dominion of grace and entirely free from
the law; that it fully vindicates and
honors the Law, and that it is the only
I sOill kIOllul lbl dbtlillb lfoNS'
The sermon-able in its argument,
clear as a crystal in its statements. sound
10 the core in its doctrine, and contain
ing no theology newer than the New
Testament-found an echo in the hearts
Of the association.
DR.. james was a gallant Confederate
soldier who found "Christ In the camp,
decided to devote himself to the work
of the ministry, took his Master-of-Art'
degree at Richmond College, became d
full graduate of the Southern Baptis
Theological Seminary, and is now one o.
the ablest of the rising ministry of IN
denomination.
Rev DIR. J. L. Burrows led in fer
vent and appropriate prayer.
The ASSOCIATION organized by electlnl
bv reclamation the followiu niiicers
President, Captain John II. \, nght, o
Suffolk Vice Presidents-Rey. j. Il
Harrison, Rev. DIR. G. +. James, Rev
DR.. A. Broadus, and Hon. Thoma
Tabb Secretary, Rev. G. j. Holiday
Assistant Secretary, II. Theodore ELY
son; Treasurer, Norvell Ryland, Esq.
Auditor. Il. Il. Gwatbmey, Esq
The usual committees were appointed
and various matters of routine were at
tended to. The hospitality of the PEG
pie of Lynchburg is simply superb, anC
there is every prospect for a delightful
meeting